DRIED PORCINI RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160ºC/325ºF/gas 3. Cover the porcini with boiling kettle water and leave to rehydrate. Season the beef cheeks with sea salt and black pepper, then brown them in a large casserole pan on a high heat with a splash of oil, turning until well coloured all over. Meanwhile, slice the pancetta into lardons. Peel the celery, onions and carrots, then chop into rough 1cm dice. In a pestle and mortar, crush the cloves with 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then peel and pound in the fresh garlic. When brown, push the cheeks to one side of the pan and reduce to a medium heat. Add the pancetta and cinnamon, stirring until the pancetta is lightly golden. Drain the porcini, reserving the liquor, then roughly chop and add to the pan with the veg. Tie the herbs together, then stir in with the garlic mixture. Fry for 15 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally. Pour in the wine, let it reduce by half, then pour in the reserved porcini water (discarding just the last gritty bit) and the passata. Fill the passata bottle with water and pour into the pan. Cover with a scrunched-up sheet of wet greaseproof paper and a lid. Cook in the oven for 4 hours, or until the meat is outrageously tender and the sauce has thickened. Taste the sauce and season, if needed, then serve up however you wish.

Steps:

• Soak the dried mushrooms in 100ml hot water for 10 mins until soft, then drain, reserving the liquid, roughly chop and set aside. Season the steaks with lots of pepper and a little salt. Heat the butter and oil in a frying pan until foaming, then cook the steaks for 2 mins on each side for medium rare or longer to your liking. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
• In the same pan, fry the shallot, then add the drained mushrooms and cook until lightly browned. Splash in the Sherry, then add the porcini liquid, balsamic vinegar and the cream, and simmer down to make a thick, creamy sauce. Put the steaks and their juices back in the pan, spoon over the sauce and serve with mash.